What do boa constrictors eat? Pet boas eat whole rodents. Babies start on mice and move up to rats as they grow. Pick a rat that weighs about 10% of your boa's weight and is no wider than its thickest part. Young boas eat about every 10 to 14 days. Adults eat every few weeks.
That's the short answer. Below, you'll find a rat size chart by boa weight. You'll also find a feeding schedule by age and an honest look at live vs frozen.
Not sure which size fits your boa? Text Mike its weight. He breeds live feeder rats in the Tucson area, from Small to Jumbo, and he'll help you pick. Call or text Mike: (520) 451-4380.
What do boa constrictors eat in the wild?
In the wild, boas eat what they can catch. The Smithsonian's National Zoo lists "large lizards, small or moderate sized birds, opossums, bats, mongooses, rats and squirrels."
Boas are mostly ambush hunters. They wait for prey to pass by. Then they strike, grab and squeeze. At the National Zoo, the boas eat mice, rats and chicks.
What do pet boa constrictors eat?
So what does a boa constrictor eat as a pet? The pet boa constrictor diet is simple. Most boas eat rodents their whole lives. They eat mice while they're small and rats as they grow. ReptiFiles, a popular care site, also lists young rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chicks and quail.
Rats are the main meal for most boa keepers. Each rat size has a set gram range, so it's easy to match one rat to your boa. A big boa would need a pile of mice to equal one Large rat.
Boas also vary a lot in size. ReptiFiles says boas grow 5 to 8 feet long on average, and females are generally much larger than males. That's why one keeper buys Medium rats while another buys Jumbo.
Skip wild-caught rodents. ReptiFiles warns against them because of parasite and poison risks. Here's more on why a wild mouse is a bad idea.
What size rat for a boa constrictor?
Here's the common rule from ReptiFiles. A meal should weigh no more than 10% of your boa's body weight. Or it should be no wider than the widest part of its body. After the meal, there should be only a small lump.
Weigh your boa in grams on a kitchen scale. Then find its weight below.
| Your boa weighs | 10% is about | Mike's size | Price each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 450 to 850 g | 45 to 85 g | Small (45 to 85 g) | $3.00 |
| 850 g to 1.75 kg | 85 to 175 g | Medium (85 to 175 g) | $4.35 |
| 1.75 to 2.75 kg | 175 to 275 g | Large (175 to 275 g) | $5.65 |
| 2.75 to 3.75 kg | 275 to 375 g | Extra Large (275 to 375 g) | $6.95 |
| 3.75 kg and up | 375 g and up | Jumbo, retired breeders (375 g and up) | $8.20 |
Prices are per animal, plus 6.1% Arizona sales tax. Buy 10 or more and save 10%. At 25 or more, save 20%. At 50 or more, save 30%. Sold as feeders, not pets.
Is your boa under 450 g? A Small rat is likely too big. Mike's live feeder mice fit smaller boas. The sizes are Hopper (7 to 12 g), Semi-Adult (13 to 17 g) and Adult (18 to 30 g). Mike doesn't sell mice smaller than Hoppers.
Stuck between two sizes? Go with the smaller one. ReptiFiles notes that prey that's too big can cause regurgitation and organ damage. You can see every size side by side in the feeder size guide. Ball python keepers can use the same math in our grams-by-weight guide for ball pythons.
How often do boa constrictors eat?
Boas eat less often as they grow. Here's the schedule ReptiFiles gives:
| Boa's age | Feed about every |
|---|---|
| Newborn to 12 months | 10 to 12 days |
| 12 to 18 months | 12 to 14 days |
| 18 months to 2.5 years | 2 to 3 weeks |
| 2.5 to 3 years | 3 to 4 weeks |
| 3 to 4 years | 4 to 6 weeks |
| 4 years and up | 4 to 8 weeks |
Not every guide agrees. VCA Animal Hospitals says larger, mature snakes usually eat once every 1 to 2 weeks. So use any chart as a starting point. Your boa's body tells you more than the calendar does.
Watch the shape. ReptiFiles describes a boa at a good weight as "square-shaped," with muscle along the back and sides. A triangle shape with ribs showing means too thin. Round sides or fat rolls mean too heavy. ReptiFiles also says overfeeding is common. If your boa looks round, stretch the time between meals.
Want to compare boas with other snakes? See how often pet snakes eat.
Feeding a few boas? Ask Mike about a standing order for the same sizes. Or get batch alerts and he'll tell you when a new batch is ready.
Live or frozen rats for boas?
Live or frozen? Your call. Here's the honest picture.
ReptiFiles recommends frozen-thawed prey for boas. Vets lean the same way. VCA Animal Hospitals says not to feed snakes live prey "because the prey may bite the snake before they are eaten." It adds that "even a small bite from a mouse can cause a severe, potentially life-threatening infection in the snake."
So if your boa eats frozen-thawed, keep doing what works.
Some boas won't touch frozen, though. Other keepers don't want a freezer full of rats. If you feed live, use this checklist every time:
- [ ] Weigh your boa and pick the right size from the chart above.
- [ ] Stay and watch the whole time. Never leave a live rat alone with your snake.
- [ ] If your boa isn't interested, take the rat out. ReptiFiles says to remove any uneaten feeder after 15 to 30 minutes.
- [ ] Try again another day. Don't leave the rat in "just in case."
- [ ] Don't handle your boa for 48 hours after it eats, as ReptiFiles advises.
Large, Extra Large and Jumbo rats are big animals, so these steps matter even more. For the full method, read how to feed live rats to snakes safely. For a side-by-side look, see live vs frozen rats for snakes.
How do you feed frozen-thawed rats to a boa?
If you feed frozen, ReptiFiles gives a simple routine:
- Thaw the rat in the fridge overnight.
- Warm it in a sealed bag in warm water to about 98 to 100°F.
- Offer it with soft-tipped tongs, not your hand.
- Feed inside your boa's enclosure.
Don't use a microwave, and never offer a rat that's still frozen. PetMD's vet-written care sheet gives the same warning for corn snakes. Still no luck? Our guide for ball pythons that refuse frozen-thawed has more ideas.
Do boas need vitamins on their rats?
ReptiFiles says a diet based on whole prey is complete. It also notes that feeder rodents may be low in some nutrients, such as vitamin D. It suggests a light dusting of a reptile vitamin powder "every once in a while." Replace the powder every 6 months, since some vitamins break down over time.
Where can you get the right size rat near Tucson?
If you're in the Tucson area and want live rats, Mike breeds them locally. Every size lists its weight in grams, so you can match the chart above. No shipping. No dry ice. No freezer to fill.
Call or text Mike for Large to Jumbo rats: (520) 451-4380. Tell him your boa's weight and how many you need. He replies the same day. Nothing ready in your size? Get batch alerts, and Mike will let you know when the next batch is ready.
Boa feeding FAQ
What size rat for an adult boa?
It depends on your boa's weight, not its age. Use the 10% rule. A 2 kg boa takes a rat around 200 g, which is a Large. A 3 kg boa takes one around 300 g, which is an Extra Large.
How often should a boa eat?
Young boas eat about every 10 to 14 days. ReptiFiles says boas 4 years and older can go 4 to 8 weeks between meals. VCA Animal Hospitals suggests feeding adult snakes more often. Adjust by your boa's body shape.
Can boas eat rabbits?
Yes. ReptiFiles lists young rabbits as one prey option. Rats are easier to match by weight, since each rat size has a set gram range. Mike sells rats and mice only.
Do boas need live food?
No. ReptiFiles recommends frozen-thawed prey for boas. Live rats are an option for boas that refuse frozen. If you feed live, stay and watch, and take out any rat your boa doesn't eat.
What's a Jumbo rat?
At Mike's Rodents, Jumbo rats are retired adult breeders, 375 g and up. Other sellers may call this size XXL or Colossal. By the 10% rule, a Jumbo fits a boa around 3.75 kg or more.
Can a baby boa eat rats?
Most baby boas start on mice. Go by weight. If your boa is under about 450 g, a mouse is the better fit. Move up to a Small rat once the 10% rule says it fits.
How do I know if my boa is overweight?
Look at its shape. ReptiFiles describes a boa at a good weight as "square-shaped," with muscle along its back and sides. Round sides or fat rolls mean it's too heavy. Feed less often and go down a size.
